#2 Raheem Sterling left his shooting boots at home
The lad could have had a hat-trick. He also managed to block Otamendi’s header which was goal-bound. The former Liverpool man got into some really good positions but his finishing was horrendous. It’s a bit strange because every time he was one vs one, he managed to sky it, showing youngsters just how not to strike a ball.
The England international has had a bit of a tough week after failing to make the starting XI against Liverpool. Pep Guardiola is a bit of a perfectionist and of course, he won’t be impressed. However, he did get into some good positions, something City failed to manage against Liverpool and that’s the only positive.
#1 Defensive problems aplenty for Guardiola
It doesn’t matter how well you can pass the ball around or keep possession. If you defend like City did earlier, there will always be doubts about the team’s calibre of winning the Champions League. In the span of two games, City have conceded six goals. They’ll take on Liverpool at the Etihad knowing well that the Red have scored the most number of goals this season.
Liverpool have beaten City twice this season and, in both games, they showed that City’s defenders lack composure if they are pressed. Otamendi has done well this season, but teams have done the exact opposite of what they should be doing; allowed him to play a pass by dropping off rather than pressing him.
Vincent Kompany, on the other hand, has lost a yard of pace and hasn’t been able to read the game well enough. When it comes to the fullbacks, the left-back area has been a problem ever since Benjamin Mendy was injured.
Unless the team can be more solid, expect Liverpool to progress to the semifinals of the Champions League this midweek.
